(Feb. 4, 2010) Kyle Sorensen is the recipient of the UC Denver 2008-2009 Academic Internship/Co-op Outstanding Intern of the Year Award. Each year this award recognizes one outstanding intern for superior performance, achievement, and academic excellence. Eligible students are nominated by their internship site employers and endorsed by their faculty sponsor. In addition to the achievement certificate, students also receive a tuition award.

Sorenson, photo right, served for two semesters as a virology intern to researcher Randall J. Cohrs, left, at the University Of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Department Of Neurology. The internship allowed Sorenson to function as a research assistant using advanced technology to analyze the stability of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) genome (a form of chicken pox virus).

With his Cohr’s encouragement and faculty support, Sorenson presented his research findings at the UC Denver Research and Creative Activities Symposium (UROP) where he was awarded first-place in undergraduate research. His internship also allowed him the opportunity to present his findings at the regional meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. His presentation was judged the best undergraduate work.

Cohrs stated, “Kyle stands out as the best of the more than a dozen interns I have tutored. His dedication, drive, compassion, comprehension and ability greatly influenced my decision to continue my involvement with the [UC Denver undergraduate internship] program.”

Sorenson’s faculty sponsor, David Albeck, professor in the UC Denver Department of Psychology, echoed Cohrs’ nomination with glowing support. “Kyle is an incredibly gifted, curious and motivated student. He is the type of student who makes teaching fun and rewarding. I was and am very impressed with his desire to know more about neuroscience, to go beyond the knowledge that he was required to learn for the course.” 

Since graduating last year, Sorenson began graduate school at CU-Boulder and is pursuing his dream of studying neurodegenerative diseases. When asked about the value of his UC Denver internship Sorenson responded, “I hold my internship as one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”